- The DSS has closed its case against Nasir El-Rufai
- El-Rufai will file a no-case submission before the court
- The trial was adjourned until September 22
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai is set to file a no-case submission after the Department of State Services (DSS) concluded its case in his alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the DSS is prosecuting El-Rufai on an amended five-count charge relating to the alleged unlawful interception of communications and offences against national security.
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The charges stem from comments El-Rufai made during a live interview on Arise Television in February, where he claimed to have intercepted a telephone conversation involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the DSS, the statement violated provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
At Tuesday’s proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution had presented all its witnesses and was closing its case.
Following the announcement, El-Rufai’s lawyer, Paul Erokoro (SAN), told the court that the defence would file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish sufficient evidence to require the former governor to open his defence.
The defence requested two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution sought an additional two weeks to respond.
Erokoro also asked the court to relax El-Rufai’s existing bail conditions, describing them as too difficult to meet. He argued that requiring Level 17 civil servants who own property in Abuja’s Maitama or Asokoro districts to stand as sureties, alongside verification documents from the Kaduna State Traditional Council, placed an unnecessary burden on the defendant.
The DSS opposed the request, maintaining that qualified public servants who met the conditions were available and urging the court to retain the existing terms.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik dismissed the application, ruling that the bail conditions remained reasonable and that eligible civil servants could satisfy the requirements.
The court subsequently adjourned the matter until September 22 for the hearing of the no-case submission and further proceedings.
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